Last week, James Ives, the Principal Deputy Director for the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), led a team of DCIS investigators to Poland as part of the DoD OIG’s proactive efforts to assess potential fraud vulnerabilities related to Ukraine assistance. Poland currently serves as a hub for the transfer of foreign military equipment and supplies to the Ukrainian government.
As part of its ongoing efforts in this area, DCIS personnel met with law enforcement, military, and diplomatic partners in the region to discuss investigative priorities, such as the current operational environment, and the potential for criminal exploitation in activities related to Ukraine assistance. Prior to the Poland visit, a DCIS contingent met with U.S. military and NATO officials in Germany and Luxembourg regarding related matters.
“DCIS seeks to protect the significant DoD assistance, equipment, technologies, and associated contracting flowing into Eastern Europe and Ukraine from exploitation by criminal actors and strategic competitors.”
To this end, DCIS leads regular coordination with Military Criminal Investigative Organizations, the Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development OIGs, and other law enforcement and oversight partners to identify expenditures related to DoD outlays and contracts in support of Ukraine operations, and develop a joint approach to address fraud and corruption.